review: not just a pretty face
03. July 2008


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I was pretty excited when I found and was offered a review copy of “Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry.”

The book is a intense look at the safety concerns that many beauty and skincare items, from the point of view of one of the co-founders of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Stacy Malkan.

Bringing Out Concerns

I’ve swing between wanting effective products and wanting the greenest possible products. As I’ve tried to green my life I’ve gone through tons of “green” and “safe” face products. Lots of them were mislabeled. Many of them didn’t’ work. Some of them were fantastic.

I found a big list of ingredients that I wanted to stay away from because of health concerns. It was slightly disturbing to learn that some of the brands who sport a pink ribbon for breast cancer also have products that contain pthalates and other concern causing ingredients that have been linked to cancer.

Let’s take a step back here. I will agree with the notion that some natural and green brands will use this type of information to fear-monger. In reality, a lot of natural-based ingredients can make people with sensitive skin freak out. Just because it is natural doesn’t mean that you can’t have an allergic reaction to it.

So on one hand, I was throwing out freaky old nail polish, but I took all of the book with a grain of salt. Thankfully, the author does point out that a lot of the ingredients that she talks about may not have a huge affect in the small quantities that you see in cosmetics. However, there is the idea that there is no reason to expose yourself to that to begin with, no matter the risk.

Like anything, the ideas in this book are something to weigh in your mind. Yeah, I threw out some nail polish and I will continue to avoid SLS (sodium laurel sulfate) and similar ingredients because I am person that would rather not take the risk.

But, and it’s a big but, I will not get rid of products like my Avene Retrinal, which works perfectly well and is so effective that it is worth the risk to me.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

One slight thing to keep in mind. Malkan, like I said above, is a co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. A good portion of this book is spent on the story of the CFSC, which really is an intriguing story. You are not really signing up for a book like The Skin Type Solution, which gives you specific things to go out and buy.

You’re getting the story of a worthy cause and why they are working for it. I am glad I read it, because I’m a big fan of researching your purchases and I do use the database set up by the CFSC.

Overall

A great quick read at just over 150 pages, if you’re concerned at all about what you put on your face every day, I would get the book. Prefer to stick with what you know and not get alarmed by all the things that could cause you cancer? Keep walking.

Bonus!

Want to read the book after listening to my rambling? Like a true greenie, I’m going to pass on my copy. It’s got some dog-ears, but totally readable. Just tell me your favorite beauty product (green or not) in the comments and why you’ll use it regardless. I’ll randomly pick someone on July 18 and you’ll get this lovely copy.

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93 Comments on “review: not just a pretty face”

  1. zahra wrote:

    My absolute favorite beauty product is cover girl aqua smooth spf 15 makeup..for years I struggled to find the perfect foundation, and this covers all my redness and evens out my skin tone beautifully..love it!


  2. Ashley wrote:

    My fav beauty product is avon lip chap I can not go anywhere without it!


  3. susan varney wrote:

    aqua smooth up i need help with my skin


  4. Gina Stratos wrote:

    I’m a Cover Girl Great Lash Mascara devotee.


  5. valerie mabrey wrote:

    thanks for the contest


  6. Susan Smith wrote:

    I use Cover Girl foundation because it’s feels and looks good on my skin.


  7. Elaine wrote:

    Rocky Mountain Soap Co.- Hand Butter.It’s natural,works great and smells wonderful!


  8. Shirley wrote:

    This would make the perfect gift


  9. Jenn S . wrote:

    Max Factor Color Genius mineral blush is great!


  10. Catherine copeland wrote:

    i use physicians formula because of the natural ingredients. I love everything from their mascara to their foundation


  11. Jennifer Barnett wrote:

    I am using Sephora’s facial cleanser these days and loving it.


  12. Ana wrote:

    i love burt’s bees mask


  13. Angel wrote:

    i am a guy. i want to win this for my wife. i don’t use any beauty products.


  14. Maja wrote:

    I love lip glosses. All kinds. The glossier the better, only in rosy peachy colors.


  15. Anne wrote:

    My favourite beauty product (I hope this counts) is Organic Goat’s Milk Soap! I have sensitive skin and this feels like you are bathing or washing in moisturizer!


  16. Nora Scott-Platt wrote:

    I always use covergirl mascara


  17. sandy wrote:

    covergirl face powder


  18. Linda wrote:

    My favorite product is ” Olay Regenerist”


  19. bob wrote:

    Sephora’s facial cleanser is the best in the market.


  20. Sheridan wrote:

    My favorite beauty product is Urban Decay Big Fatty mascara. It gives me that retro big lash look, and it isn’t tested on animals.


  21. Trisha Dowling wrote:

    i love my mac powder!


  22. denice p wrote:

    call me plain but all i really like is a coca colored eyeliner and red lipstick. i’ve been wearing them for years!


  23. Melissa Reeder wrote:

    My favorite beauty product is Lubriderm Lotion. It keeps me moisturized! Thanks for this fun giveaway!


  24. Cassandra wrote:

    My fave beauty product is Olay Complete All Day UV Defense Moisturizer.


  25. marybeth i. wrote:

    Lipfusion is my favorite product.


  26. Natalie wrote:

    Bare Escentuals foundation, it makes you look flawless!!


  27. Adriana Garcia wrote:

    My favorite product is a good mascara.


  28. Terra Heck wrote:

    Looks like an interesting read. My favorite product is the facial skincare system from BeautiControl.


  29. Phyllis Silverstein wrote:

    My favorite beauty product is a good concealer.


  30. Sharon Jones wrote:

    My favorite is Caress Soap…I’ve tried them all and this makes my skin feel great…THANKS for great contest!


  31. Kari Follett wrote:

    bare escentuals mineral veil


  32. Cheryl Riecke wrote:

    Anything by Philosophy, but particulary anything with the Amazing Grace line is my absolute favorite.


  33. Laura wrote:

    My favorite is lipstick.


  34. Susan C wrote:

    My favorite beauty product is Avon Anew moisturizer. It makes my skin feel so soft.


  35. Stephen Saunders wrote:

    dove soap…. makes me sexeh.


  36. Patty Boutin wrote:

    Thank you for having this contest. I really appreciate it. Favorite is mascara.


  37. Tina J. wrote:

    My favorite beauty product is Urban Decays Primer Potion!


  38. Alicia wrote:

    regret


  39. charline s wrote:

    My favorite product is covergirl black masscara.


  40. Barbara Fox wrote:

    Almay mascara.


  41. Nancy C wrote:

    A tie between Burts Bees radience day creme and good old chapstick.


  42. Julia Magrath wrote:

    Mascara. No special brand but I’ve always got to wear mascara.


  43. Kathy Scott wrote:

    Mary Kay mascara.


  44. Vicki Wurgler wrote:

    I like lip gloss, I have an Avon one right now that I really like


  45. Pat wrote:

    Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser works beautifully.


  46. Sonya Sparks wrote:

    I can’t do without mascara. My favorite is Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara


  47. Lisa Fosses wrote:

    moisturizer, especially Olay


  48. Melanie wrote:

    I’d have to say mascara like many other people above had said. I have no idea why, but I can’t go out into public without slapping on at least a bit of mascara. It doesn’t matter if I don’t have time to put any other makeup on, the mascara is a must.


  49. Ashley wrote:

    i really like dior mascara


  50. Linda wrote:

    Wrinkle reducer


  51. Amber wrote:

    Smashbox Photo Finish. It gives my skin an almost fake feeling. So smooth.


  52. Terri D wrote:

    Smashbox Photo Finish


  53. Terri B wrote:

    Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is great!


  54. Donna Vance wrote:

    I would continue to use Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup. I love how my face looks while wearing it.


  55. Heather B wrote:

    love covergirl lash mascara


  56. Amy Behles wrote:

    Nutra-lift glycolic plus nonsoap cleanser


  57. kristi blackstone wrote:

    Mascara and concealer!!! Mandatory on me.


  58. Chrystal wrote:

    I love Maybelline foundation!!


  59. Elizabeth M. wrote:

    I think I’m sticking with Cover Girl Great Lash because it’s tried and true and works so incredibly well.


  60. ROSEANN KIES wrote:

    LIPSTICK DOES WONDERS WITH MY FAIR COMPLEXION!


  61. Karen wrote:

    mascara - usually Loreal


  62. Nanette Olson wrote:

    I like Olay Regenerist.


  63. sarah wrote:

    I love my shower filter. Silky hair and clear skin without chemicals!


  64. Cheryl Bundick Bonner wrote:

    I need my eye shadow everyday and lipstick most days. It’s not about pretty, it’s about being polished.


  65. Mary Graves wrote:

    Rubbing alcohol. I use it on a cotton ball to wash my face and it dries my face out. Much cheaper then using astringents on the market.


  66. shawna wrote:

    Arbonne foundation!!


  67. Denise wrote:

    My favorite beauty product is a nice tube of Revlon lipstick.


  68. Renee Turner wrote:

    I can’t live without mascara


  69. loki wrote:

    Oil or Olay Moisturizer with sunscreen, I never leave the house without it!


  70. Apple wrote:

    My favorite beauty products are my lipsticks: David Scott, CG, Revlon, Victoria’s Secret. Colors on the lips make me feel really pretty, though I know some might have lead contents in them. I’m just being careful not to swallow them.


  71. christopher h wrote:

    oil of olay


  72. Michelle wrote:

    Sunscreen because I burn easily and have photosensitivity.


  73. melinda smith wrote:

    My most fabvorite beauty product is “REVLON COLORSTAY BLEMISH CONCEALER”. Even though I am 42 years old,I still get zits.This product not only hides the zits,but it also dries them up at the same time(and works quickly)


  74. sabb266 wrote:

    I really love Sephora products


  75. Leah Juarez wrote:

    My favorite product would have to be my Brow pencil!- without it, I wouldn’t have any brows!


  76. bunny wrote:

    I love Benefit products, and I can’t live without eyeliner!


  77. Samantha Pruitt wrote:

    i love Cargo Eye Lighter, it’s so nifty!


  78. Angie P. wrote:

    Almay Mascara is my must-have product.


  79. Joan Koczon wrote:

    Avon’s wrinkle reducer… I even put it on my throat and tops of my hands… not the palms but the top to try and get rid of the age spots.


  80. janeh wrote:

    Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and Bobbi Brown Shell Eyeshadow


  81. Suanne Giddings wrote:

    Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil really is a wonderful finishing touch! Thank you for the opportunity to win!


  82. Yang wrote:

    Reading this reminds me of a customer I met yesterday at work. He used to work for a company who did mice and rat breeding for animal testings and stem cell researching. And he told me just how badly treated some of them were even before being shipped out to be researched on.

    I feel we have a personal responisiblity not only to our animals but also to ourselves to be greener and healthier. I try to go for products that mention no animal testing and have nautral ingredients that I can pronounce.

    My favorite beauty product is actually very natural and a great find from ebay. It’s Carley’s Night Time Moisturizer. It’s works great- making my face feel baby smooth. It feels good to buy honest products and I hope that the mega make-up industry becomes more morally responsible.


  83. Sylvia Porter wrote:

    i love 2 face lip injection lip gloss, that stuff hurts but it’s awesome!


  84. Michelle H. wrote:

    Mac eyeshadow


  85. kristen cook wrote:

    Would have to pick my lipgloss and bronzer!


  86. Ed Nemmers wrote:

    Sea Breeze Astringent


  87. Susanne Troop wrote:

    L’Bri products…all are great!


  88. Veronica Garrett wrote:

    Cover Girl eyeslicks gel eyecolor. It applies easily to give ne the color I want. I’ll use it until I can find a “green” product that is similar.


  89. Janet wrote:

    sunscreen and lipgloss


  90. Donna Kozar wrote:

    My fave thing is maybelline wine on ice lipstick.


  91. Charlene Kuser wrote:

    Burts Bee’s foot cream.Thanks for the giveaway


  92. Carol Drury wrote:

    any mineral based foundation - great for coverage without looking heavy and good for the skin as well!!!


  93. kathy wrote:

    I can’t live without my eye cream and concealer for dark circles under the eyes. Guess I should get more sleep.


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